Rights group criticises introduction of exit visa

Liberia's Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) has criticized the reintroduction by the Liberian government of a compulsory exit visa for anyone - nationals as well as foreigners - wishing to leave the country. The government introduced the visa requirement on 18 February. According to the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization, the move is aimed at "having a complete data base of those leaving Liberia". However, the commission said on Tuesday that it was a violation of the right to freedom of movement. The measure "contravenes Article 13(b) of the Liberian constitution which guarantees citizens the right to leave and enter Liberia at any time without precondition," it said. The JPC called on the government to reconsider its decision. A key opposition politician, Charles W. Brumskine, claimed that he was denied the exit visa when he applied for it on 21 February. He and other officials of his Liberia Unification Party (LUP) were expected to tour five West African nations to canvas support for the Liberian electoral process. This is the third time under President Taylor's administration that the exit visa has been imposed. It was introduced in 1997, lifted, reintroduced in 2002, and abolished following widespread condemnation by local human rights organizations.